HIS Storehouse Outreach and Thrift Center will hold its annual Back 2 School Festival from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, offering free backpacks and school supplies, free food, carnival games for the children and a coupon for a $5 kid's haircut at Artistic Hair. The event will be at Alice Hall, 38116 Fifth Ave. The Thrift Center is still accepting donations of school supplies and backpacks for the event. Donations can be dropped off at the Thrift Center at 35362 State Road 54 during regular business hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday) or by calling (813) 283-1184 and leaving a message for special arrangements.

ARIPEKA

Controlled burns coming to preserve

As part of its routine maintenance of district lands, the Southwest Florida Water Management District will conduct controlled burns during the next two months in the Weekiwachee Preserve, which spans Pasco and Hernando counties. About 600 acres will be burned in small, manageable units in the preserve located about one mile west of Spring Hill and about one mile south of Aripeka. Swiftmud will also conduct controlled burns during August and September in the Annuteliga Hammock in Hernando County. About 100 acres will be burned in that tract near Royal Highlands and U.S. 19. According to district land manager Kevin W. Love, burns are implemented to mimic natural fire cycles under a controlled situation. The object is to avoid uncontrolled wildfires and enhance the area's natural conditions by maintaining the ecological and wildlife habitat values. Prescribed burns are only conducted when weather conditions allow the objectives to be met while minimizing impacts to the public.